shan

Friday, October 25, 2013

Black and Brown

A while back I shared that fashion wise I have gotten a bit lazy. It's not that I do not have a sense of style. It's more that I no longer put in the effort. I have moments here and there where I dress nicely, but those moments are few and far between. Workout clothing is my uniform. It's been a long time since I've shopped with myself in mind, but recently I was forced to. My only practical purse/pocket book began falling a part. I need a new one. I know exactly what I want. I want a bag that's simple, with colors that go with everything. I want a brown and black purse like this:

I also want some boots in the same colors. These will do:

Seems the lazy in me has taken over. I really want black and brown accessories, so I don't have to buy different colors of anything. I haven't found what I want, with a price that I want to pay, but I'm still looking...

Tuesday, October 22, 2013

In the last few weeks I haven't felt like doing much of anything. That is, I haven't felt like doing the things I know I need to do. Last week it seemed appropriate to reduce our work load given the activities we had planned, we did. This week is a bit different. I don't have a legitimate excuse, I just don't want to face the litany of things that fall under the umbrella of my responsibilities. Homeschooling happens to be one of them. There is no question that if I decided we should take the week off my student would celebrate with her own personal parade, and actually so would I. There are so many ways in which I can use the time, but common sense an logic prevailed, so she, and I are forced to do school this week. This whole scenario got me thinking about the importance doing the right thing despite my feelings. That's a true mark maturity; mastering your feelings, allowing your brain to tell your body how it's going to be, not the other way around.We'll that's what I'm getting out of this week as we struggle through it. My child on the other hand would rather we take the week off, and I keep the lecture on the importance of discipline to myself, so I thought I'd share it with you.

Thursday, October 10, 2013

You Versus You

What motivates you? No, I mean what really motivates you? I've been asking myself this question in an effort to make sure my actions are pure. I hate the idea of doing, or not doing anything based on something or someone else. To me, that's control, and I'm not in habit of handing control of my decisions over to others. Go ahead, call me a control freak. I'm OK with the label.
I'm not saying that I don't appreciate good advice, or sound counsel. I do. I just try not to live in the bondage of another person's expectation, or action. I'm free. The hallmark of freedom is a pure choice. It doesn't have to be the right choice, just an honest one. For the most part I have been able to practice this. I try to choose the things I HONESTLY want, not what others want for me, or what others are doing. My motivation comes from me. I'm not trying to be like anyone else, and I'm not in competition with anyone but me. It's me verses me. That's the way it should be....or so I thought.
I just read a verse in the bible "but they measuring themselves by themselves, and comparing themselves among themselves, are not wise." 2 Corinthians 10:12.
That verse shifted my focus back to the fact that it's not always "me versus me." There is a MUCH standard higher than my own. God's. Turns out He and I are often divorced in our views. When it comes right down to it, I can never do what He does, or did, but I'm supposed to be more like Him. That means that my actions though performed by me, should look more like Him/His. Not easy, considering He said things like "love your enemies, and do good to them that hate you." Lots of things come to mind when I think of an enemy, but I assure you "love" isn't high on the list! I've got a long way to go before I can get excited about doing "good to those who hate me."
Anyhow, all that to say that I'm trying ever so hard to take a backseat in my life, to get out of my way and over myself. I still conform to my "you versus you" mantra in certain areas where it naturally applies like finances, fitness,etc. It' not an all together bad idea, and I truly don't need to impress or satisfy anyone outside of myself. I'm just trying to keep in mind that there is more to this equation than me. While it may feel good, and even right to say, "I'm going to do the best I can" if I'm honest I'll say, "God do the best YOU can with me." It's a surrender to a standard higher than my own, which also happens to be the "best" for me.

Sunday, October 6, 2013

"Easy"

Lionel Richie is not alone. I think I'm also "easy like Sunday morning."

This morning I went for a run in and around my neighborhood. The smell of fall in the air had been replaced by the smell of bacon and eggs. Apparently that was the breakfast of choice this October morning. I finished my run, and came home to find that the hubby had prepared my breakfast. He also fixed bacon and eggs. All smiles over here. I LOVE Sundays.

Saturday, October 5, 2013

I'm not a personal trainer. I just love fitness. Sweating puts me in my happy place. While others might take pleasure in crafting, I'd rather put together a workout to torch my obliques. It's the only kind of research I enjoy. Actually, there isn't a lot of research involved anymore. There are so many great sites available now. Oh, and did I mention You Tube??? Truth is, I find it hard to narrow down what I want to do. I'm really like a kid in a candy store. In addition to fitness there is also a wide range of nutrition programs to choose from.

This is the time of year when most people relax, let go and gain a little. Instead, I'd like to encourage you to do the opposite. Take this time and set a new goal for yourself. Get fit. Get strong. Lose weight. Whatever your goal, get moving. No excuses. No regrets.

Tuesday, October 1, 2013

Fashion For "Tweenagers???"

Too childish

Too grown

Over the past year, and particularly in the past few months, my twelve year old looks like she's grown about a foot! No joke, one day it seemed I was looking down to talk to this child, the next day I'm looking up as she speaks to me. Fortunately (for her) the most recent growth spurt requires a complete wardrobe overhaul. Yep, she gets to go shopping. She's pretty stoked! In preparation for the occasion, she's been looking at the type of clothes she'd like to have. This has been an eye opener for me. It turns out there are plenty of choices for younger girls (under 10) and teenagers, but not so much for this 11-12 in between age. The children's stuff is too childish, and teenage stuff is a bit too mature looking. To complicate matters, I've given her an assignment:" think about the message you want to send with your clothing." Hmm... so now she has to not only find age appropriate clothing, which hardly exist (google clothing for 12 year old girls if you think I'm kidding), but it has send the right "message." Oh, and did I mention she is going through a "I hate dresses phase?" Wish BOTH of us luck. We are going to need it...

About Me

I struggled with the decision to blog. But honestly, an avenue like this, is an irresistible temptation to a would be writer. Eventually they will cave.
With the decision to blog came the question, "what do I write about?" I'm not a "know it all." It came to me, that there are only two things I know well. I know love. I know truth. I've experienced both on the most powerful, and trivial of levels. No matter the message,rant, rave or review, it will be the truth, motivated by love. I hope that hearing it in my voice, adds something new to the conversation.
That said, this is a great way to journal my life. I stink at keeping a journal of the book variety. Yes, I love to write, but it's different somehow.
I share life with a no adjective to describe that level of amazing, sort of man. I get to call him husband. We have two lovely daughters. The girls are eleven, and (gasp) 15 months old. I'll have a lot to say here. I'll try not to write anything I don't want my girls to read. I want to truly reflect my God. He is the source of everything good in me. He's the ultimate example of, and has taught me all I know, about love, and truth.
Thanks for stopping by. Hang out a while.